Visitors to World War II Days engage in elaborate 1940s displays in historical buildings on the museum’s 148-acre campus, which becomes the backdrop of a European village during World War II. This military re-enactment is known to be the largest in the Midwest and draws thousands of visitors yearly to the Rockford region and the museum grounds.

Festivities include encampments of Allied and Axis troops in the Midway Village woods. World War II Days include elaborate and realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and exciting pyrotechnic displays.

Uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, Great Britain, France, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Japan, Italy, and Germany along with vintage tanks, half-tracks and other 1940s military vehicles make this a not-to-miss special event.

Visitors have the option of purchasing advance tickets to the Woods Skirmishes during ticket checkout by selecting the Woods Skirmish time you wish to attend. Via online ticketing, 125 slots are available for each Woods Skirmish time. Visitors can also choose the option to buy admission to World War II Days without additional Woods Skirmish tickets.

All World War II general admission tickets include Battles on the Main Battlefield at no extra charge (please note that Woods Skirmish tickets are sold separately to limit each Woods Skirmish audience to 250 for safety reasons). In addition, 125 tickets to each Woods Skirmish will be available to purchase on-site until they are gone. Please consider this option if no Woods Skirmish tickets are available at the time of our online booking. On-site Woods Skirmish tickets are available for purchase at a separate tent – see event map for location.

Dozens of Authentic Military Vehicles

Over 1,000 Reenactors

Battles with Pyrotechnics

Skirmishes, Demos and Displays

Over 40 WWII Model Airplanes

Militaria Sales Vendors

Local Food Vendors

And More!!!

Admission Prices

$10 – Adults Ages 13+ (Member)

$20 - Adults Ages 13+ (Non-Member)

$8 – Children Ages 5-12 (Member)

$15 - Children Ages 5-12 (Non-Member)

Free - WWII Veterans

$5 - Woods Skirmishes

Children (ages 0-4) are Free